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Power supplies are one of the most essential pieces of hardware in a PC. Although most power supplies are hidden in the chassis, your PC wouldn’t work without proper wattage being supplied to it. Graphics cards, out of every component, require the most wattage. When we tested the RTX 4090, we were very surprised by its high power requirements. As such, if you’re planning to get yourself this flagship beast, you need to make sure you have the right PSU for the job. To help you out, my team and I have put to test over a dozen power supplies to round up the best options for 4090.
Take a look at my selection below, all compared with each other:
Last Updated:
- September 11, 2024: With the release of ATX 3.1, we tested more power supplies, and a couple of them performed exceptionally well for the RTX 4090. Therefore, we have included them.
You can also use our PSU Watts Calculator to get a list of power supplies that fit your PC build based on wattage.
Related: Best CPU For RTX 4090
Best PSU For RTX 4090
Here’s a list of the best power supplies for RTX 4090 that I will be covering today:
- Best Overall: Seasonic VERTEX GX-1200
- Best ATX 3.1: ENERMAX PlatiGemini 1200W
- Best Budget: XPG CyberCore II 1000W
Seasonic VERTEX GX-1200
Best Overall PSU For RTX 4090
Specifications: Size: 160 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1200W | Protection: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12VHPWR Cable: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 3 | SATA: 16 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 3
Pros
- Soft sleeved cables
- Tight load regulation
- Quiet operation
- High build quality
- 12-year warranty period
- Plenty SATA connectors
Cons
- High OCP on minor rails
- Lower efficiency
If you want an RTX 4090 GPU, your most comfortable and future-proof wattage requirements should be around 1,200W. In that sense, the Seasonic VERTEX GX-1200 PSU is a great option. The PSU offers an incredibly sleek design, 100% cable modularity, and comes with soft-sleeved cables for easy installation and routing. Moreover, its 80+ Gold certification is efficient enough to allow decent overclocking possibilities without any hiccups.
Regarding its performance, the load regulation of the PSU stayed consistent and tight because the temperatures didn’t rise. Unlike most PSUs that may croak during transient spikes, the GX-1200 handled them well during my testing, especially when the RTX 4090’s spikes require up to 1.3x more power. The only thing I disliked about the PSU was the higher OCP on the minor 5V and 3.3V rails, which went at 140.4% and 138.8%, respectively.
After testing the Vertex GX-1200, Arsalan Shakil, our PSU expert, praised the power supply for its consistent and reliable performance. Here’s what he said:
The Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 is a high-quality, reliable PSU that handles demanding systems with ease. It’s fully modular, efficient, and operates quietly with a hybrid fan mode, making it a great choice for anyone looking to power a modern setup. The PSU is well-built with top-tier Japanese components, and the 10-year warranty adds peace of mind. It’s a solid performer, though its price might be a bit steep compared to some newer options on the market.
What Makes It The Best Overall PSU For RTX 4090?
The Seasonic VERTEX GX-1200 easily handles frequent power spikes, comes with soft-sleeved cables, has tight load regulation, features 16 SATA connectors, and offers a 12-year warranty period without asking you to break your piggy bank, making it the best overall PSU for the RTX 4090.
I believe the Seasonic VERTEX GX-1200 is an amazing fit with the RTX 4090 GPU. The power supply is extremely efficient, easy to build with, and has a greater warranty period because of its high build quality. If you want a PSU that has all the good tidbits of the best high-end power supplies without requiring nearly as much money, this one hits the mark.
– Sameed Hussain
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Future-Proofing: 9/10 |
ENERMAX PlatiGemini 1200W
Best ATX 3.1 PSU For RTX 4090
Specifications: Size: 150 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1,200W | Protection: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12V-2×6 12+4 Pin: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 3 | SATA: 8 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 4
Pros
- High power density in a compact design
- Suited for extreme overclocking
- Semi-silent fan
- Dust Free rotation feature
- Extremely efficient
- Features ATX12VO standards
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Power supplies are prone to receiving the fewest innovations out of all PC components. However, the ENERMAX PlatiGemini 1,200W PSU has changed the dynamic by featuring ATX12VO, something Intel has been trying to turn mainstream for some time. The smaller package yet a higher 80+ Platinum efficiency make it a feast for the eyes.
Although it’s a bit expensive, the power supply is suited for extreme overclocking, making it a perfect addition to the RTX 4090. Moreover, because it’s a modular PSU, you won’t face any cable management issues, and the sleeved cables will last a long time. I also loved the semi-silent fan with a dust-free rotation feature, ensuring that the PSU lasts much longer than its 10-year warranty period. Additionally, because it’s an ATX 3.1 PSU, you won’t have to worry about the 12VHPWR cables melting.
Our hardware reviewer, Arsalan Shakil, was blown out of his mind by the efficiency and performance of the power supply. Here’s what he wrote in his review:
The Enermax PlatiGemin 1200W Platinum takes the crown with its robust build, top-tier efficiency, and exceptional performance. It has a fully modular design, premium mesh-sleeved cables, superior voltage regulation, and excellent thermal management.
What Makes It The Best ATX 3.1 PSU For RTX 4090?
The ENERMAX PlatiGemini 1,200W PSU is a breath of innovation for a PC component that doesn’t get many improvements. By featuring ATX12VO, outstanding efficiency, voltage regulation, and ripple performance, it’s certainly the best ATX 3.1 PSU for the RTX 4090 currently.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Future-Proofing: 10/10 |
XPG CyberCore II 1000W
Best Budget PSU For RTX 4090
Specifications: Size: 160 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1,000W | Protection: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP, NLO, SIP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12VHPWR Cable: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 6 | SATA: 8 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 4
Pros
- Extremely efficient
- Decent pricing
- Silent operation
- Long cables
- Loads of connectors
Cons
- No Hybrid Fan mode
- Hard sleeved cables
Don’t want to spend much on a higher wattage PSU without losing any features? Well, the XPG CyberCore II 1,000W PSU offers just that and much more while sparing the price tag. For example, you get an 80+ Platinum rating from an ATX 3.0 PSU, silent fans, and efficient load regulation. I also loved the PSU’s overall sleek design and fully modular cables. While the cables are exceptionally long because they’re hard-sleeved, routing them can be challenging in certain PC cases.
Besides that, the XPG CyberCore II has loads of connectors, featuring 8 SATA, 6 PCI-E 6+2, and 4 MOLEX 4-pin connectors. You’ll face no shortage of connectors for all your storage devices, so don’t shy away from getting as many drives as you wish. Moving to its performance, although it’s not as efficient, the PSU provides decent overclocking potential, even for high-end GPUs. It’s an essential powerhouse for a demanding gaming PC.
Of course, Abdul Hannan, one of our hardware reviewers, felt similarly while testing the PSU on his test bench and stated the following:
XPG CyberCore II 1000W is a reliable choice for modern PC builders and gamers like myself. Its efficiency and adherence to Intel’s ATX 3.0 design guide ensure compatibility with the latest hardware while delivering stable power output, which is crucial for smooth performance during intense gaming sessions or demanding workloads.
What Makes It The Best Budget PSU For RTX 4090?
The XPG CyberCore II 1,000W PSU has a Platinum A- Cybenetics rating, has compatibility for loads of connectors, provides outstanding load efficiency, and doesn’t cost as much as many of its competition, providing similar features. All of these points make it the best budget PSU for the RTX 4090 GPU.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Future-Proofing: 8/10 |
Our Test Results Of These PSUs
To back our recommendations, we have tested more than a dozen power supplies. You can check the test results of some of them:
Important PSU Terms
- Efficiency Rating: These ratings showcase the output percentage guaranteed for your PSU. Ratings go from Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium.
- 12VHPWR Cable: Abbreviated as 12-Volt High Power Cable, this is the latest cable with ATX 3.0 power supplies.
- Voltage Ripple: Voltage ripple refers to the small fluctuations or variations in the output voltage of a power supply, usually caused by the AC-to-DC conversion process
- Voltage Regulation: Voltage regulation is about how well a power supply maintains a constant output voltage, even when the load changes (like when you plug in more devices) or when the input voltage varies.
- ATX 3.0: It is the latest power supply standard that handles the high power needs of modern PCs, especially for top-tier graphics cards, offering better efficiency and safety features.
How We Selected These PSUs For RTX 4090
The RTX 4090 is no doubt a beast, and to make sure my recommended PSUs for it are up to mark, my team and I tested a bunch of different power supplies. We paid extra attention to their performance (max ripple, regulation, efficiency), as well as stability under stress tests. These are the key factors we focused the most on during our testing:
- Performance: The initial step in our testing process for power supplies focuses on their performance. We use specialized equipment to checkk the max voltage ripple, difference in regulation, and average efficiency across all rails for each PSU. This approach helps us determine which power supply is the most stable and suitable.
- Modularity: While choosing the power supplies, I made sure all of the power supplies were 100% modular. Unlike non-modular PSUs with pre-attached cables, modular power supplies allow you to plug in cables as per your needs.
- ATX 3.0 Compatibility: Because we were recommending power supplies for the RTX 4090, our power supplies should be ATX 3.0 compatible. Otherwise, connecting the GPU with the cables would be another hassle.
- Internals: We disassembled each power supply to inspect the internal components closely. The quality of a PSU heavily relies on its capacitors and other internal parts, which are crucial for its overall performance
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. There’s almost no need to upgrade if you have a high-wattage ATX 2.0 PSU, presumably over 1,000W. However, if you’re using a lower-wattage PSU, upgrading for better performance and future-proofing is better.
If we include the transient spikes, an RTX 4090 can reach up to 630 watts. It should be noted that this will only happen for a few miliseconds, and the GPU actually consumes around 400W during high-performance gaming and productivity tasks.
You can go ahead with an 850W PSU for a 4090, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The primary reason is that you’ll probably be using a flagship CPU with the mighty 4090, and that’s where an 850W PSU may fall short. Plus, people don’t really change PSUs every few years, so it is best to future proof as well.
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[Hardware Expert]
With a major in Computer Science, Sameed is a tech enthusiast who puts his passion for gadgets into words and creates informative blogs. From comparing different hardware to reviewing the best RAMs, motherboards, and graphics cards for your next build, Sameed has covered a wide spectrum of topics that have given him a special insight into every nook and cranny of the tech world. Sameed is also a certified expert at Computer Hardware & Networking.
Get In Touch: sameed@tech4gamers.com
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